“But no. The guy’s as clean as a whistle, and yeah, I know that’s majorly cliché. But it fits. He’s a real do-gooder with an outstanding record. Served eight years in the Navy before joining the Agency. Doesn’t have any money or connections behind him, just a lot of recommendations from people who’ve worked with him. He’s not our guy, I don’t think.”
“You never know.”
Jane nodded. “I agree. But I really don’t see Haversham helping organized crime. A friend of mine who’s good with computers also did a deep dive into Dan Simmons, just in case he had a beef with someone he’d previously put away. But nothing stood out, and everyone in Dan’s organization loved him. It’s got to be one of us on the Mazzuca case.”
Sullivan scowled. “But everyone in our squad is decent. Even Sandy and Josh’s weird work-spouse dynamic feels oddly normal. They’re not exactly hiding anything from the rest of us unless they’re having sex. And I don’t want to know about that.”
Jane grimaced at the thought.
“Is it Matthew? He stands out as the most viable candidate to me. I mean, who does he think he is, accusing me of being a sell-out?”
“I don’t know. But I think it’s time I got serious about the Seattle field office.”
“Oh right. That place where you still have a job, even if it’s temporarily suspended.”
“Funny.” Jane had a plan, but she didn’t want to involve Sullivan. What she had in mind wasn’t exactly aboveboard. “On another note, whatever happened with your failed date Wednesday night? Did you let him know why you didn’t show up?”
“He totally came over to take care of me yesterday!” Sullivan launched into a story about her new boyfriend that Jane tried to listen to without looking bored.
All the while, she tried to figure out how to bribe Hal so he’d do her a favor without mentioning it to Joe, Uncle Chris, or worse,Raine.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
It turnedout that Hal didn’t need that much convincing. Jane just had to play a few rounds of some new video game he was beta-testing for a friend without complaining. Apparently, the friend needed some “newb” who wasn’t very good to give valid feedback.
Despite being offended—she considered herself decent at video games—she nevertheless accepted his terms. Though the not-complaining part might be tough.
Saturday evening, Jane sat with Hal in the back of a rental van down the street from Matthew Scott’s two-million-dollar residence in North Capitol Hill. The large home had privacy despite its proximity to its neighbors, a rooftop deck with views from the Olympics to Lake Union and Downtown Seattle.
Had she been less content with her life, she might have felt envy at her boss’s ability to afford something on such a scale. But it was way too much house for one person or even two, if Scott had a significant other no one knew about. She preferred something small and practical.
“You bugged everything?” She stared at the shifting feeds on the monitors in the van. “How did you get in without beingspotted? This neighborhood is like a beehive that never stops buzzing.”
“Don’t you worry about that. I’ve been a surveillance expert for more years than you’ve been alive.”
“What? Since you were a teenager?” Although knowing Hal, he’d been hacking into systems from birth.
“If I don’t want them to notice me, they don’t.” They sat in an upscale sprinter van and not some murder van with no windows. In this neighborhood, they wouldn’t attract attention. “And before you ask, don’t. This vehicle is on loan from a friend who will remain anonymous for certain reasons.”
“Reasons like he’s wanted by the law? Or reasons like you stole his van and don’t want anyone to know?”
“Yes.”
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help laugh. Hal was ridiculous and talented in the best of ways. The guy lived under a lucky star. Nothing bad ever seemed to stick to him, certainly not the various charges aimed his way through the years.
“I know, I know,” she said in apology. “Don’t ask questions. Sorry. I’m just nervous.” She couldn’t be tied to this. Not that anyone would associate her with Hal. Or she hoped they wouldn’t. Just because Hal and the others on Team Ten maintained a shadow profile in the U.S. didn’t mean they couldn’t be identified.
Though Team Ten didn’t officially exist, people knew of them. Rapp had known, but then, that said a lot about him—that he knew of a bunch of off-books mercenaries often employed in secret by the government.
To be fair, Uncle Chris hadn’t tried too hard to isolate himself from Jane the last few years. She had a feeling he wanted people in high places to know she had connections.
Funny how her uncle trusted military might a lot more than he trusted law enforcement. Jane knew they all had good andbad points, but that calling to protect the greater good appealed to her in whatever way she served.
“You don’t have to sit here for this,” Hal said. “Heck, I don’t either, technically. But it feels more fun this way. Like we’re on a stakeout.” He grabbed a bag of gourmet popcorn and two cans of soda from the minifridge next to him. “Complete with all the chow.”
“This is sad. You’re as bored as I am at home.” She accepted the drink.
“Well, that and I’m giving Raine some space. She’s out of sorts, needing something to punch. I’d rather it was Joe than me.”
